Transcript Document
19 Caring for Muscle and Bone Injuries Objectives 1.Define the following terms: a.Anatomical position b.Angulated c.Blunt trauma d.Closed fracture e.Cravat f.Dislocation g.Manual stabilization (continued) Objectives 1.Define the following terms: h.Open fracture i. Position of function j.Sling k.Splint l. Sprain m.Strain n.Swathe (continued) Objectives 2.Describe the components that make up the musculoskeletal system. 3.Explain the functions of the musculoskeletal system. 4.Describe the major bones of the skeletal system. 5.Describe the signs and symptoms of a musculoskeletal injury. (continued) 6.Differentiate between a strain, sprain, fracture, and dislocation. Objectives 7.Differentiate between an open and closed skeletal injury. 8.Explain the appropriate care for a patient with a skeletal injury. 9.Explain the importance of an appropriate assessment of the distal extremity. 10.Differentiate between direct and indirect forces and the injuries they (continued) cause. Objectives 11.Explain the criteria for placing an angulated extremity injury into an anatomical position. 12.Explain the purpose and methods for manual stabilization of a skeletal injury. 13.Explain the priority of care for a patient with a suspected open skeletal injury. (continued) 14.Explain the priority of care for Objectives 15.Demonstrate the appropriate assessment of a skeletal injury. 16.Demonstrate the appropriate care for a patient with a long-bone injury. 17.Demonstrate the appropriate care for a patient with a joint injury. 18.Demonstrate the appropriate technique for manual stabilization(continued) of a skeletal injury. Objectives 19.Demonstrate the proper placement of an angulated extremity injury into an anatomical position. 20.Demonstrate the proper placement of an arm sling. 21.Demonstrate the ability to place the hand/foot in the position of function during immobilization of an extremity. 22.Value the importance of proper Topics • • • • Musculoskeletal System Appendicular Skeleton Splinting Management of Specific Extremity Injuries MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM Musculoskeletal System • Musculoskeletal System – Made up of muscles, bones, joints, connective tissues, blood vessels, and nerves. • EMR's job is to carefully assess patient, looking for signs and symptoms of injury (pain, swelling, deformity, discoloration). Musculoskeletal System • Four Major Functions – Support – Movement – Protection – Cell Reproduction • Skeletal System Major Divisions – Axial skeleton – Appendicular skeleton Anatomy of the extremities. (A = artery. N = nerve. V = vein.) appendicular skeleton (shown in the first figure in yellow) and the axial skeleton (shown in the second figure in yellow). Think About It • What does it mean to use an assessment-based approach? • What is the EMR's primary job in dealing with musculoskeletal injuries? • What can happen when blood vessels and nerves are injured? APPENDICULAR SKELETON Appendicular Skeleton • Made up of bones that form upper and lower extremities. • Upper extremities made up of shoulder girdle and both arms, down to and including fingers. Bones of the Upper Extremities. Bones of the upper extremities. Appendicular Skeleton • Lower extremities made up of pelvis and both legs, down to and including toes. Bones of the Lower Extremities. Bones of the lower extremities. Appendicular Skeleton • Causes of Extremity Injuries – Direct force: applied to bone when person falls and strikes object or when person is struck by object. – Indirect force: energy of a force transferred up or down extremity; results in injury farther along extremity. (continued) Appendicular Skeleton • Causes of Extremity Injuries – Twisting force: when someone gets hand or foot caught in wheel or gear. • Closed injury – No break in skin. • Open injury – Soft tissues adjacent to injury damaged and open. Select Mechanisms of Extremity Injury Closed and open injuries. Appendicular Skeleton • Do not try to diagnose injury. • Fracture – Any time bone is broken, chipped, cracked, or splintered. • Dislocation – One end of a bone that is part of a joint is pulled or pushed out of place. Appendicular Skeleton • Sprain – Excessive twisting forces cause ligaments and tendons to stretch or tear. • Strain – Caused by overexerting, overworking, overstretching, or tearing of a muscle. • Angulated (deformed) injuries – Extremity is bulging, bent, or angulated where it normally should be straight. Appendicular Skeleton • Signs-Symptoms of Extremity Injuries – Pain – Swelling – Discoloration – Deformity – Inability to move a joint or limb – Numbness or tingling sensation – Loss of distal pulse (continued) Appendicular Skeleton • Signs-Symptoms of Extremity Injuries – Slow capillary refill – Grating – Sound of breaking at time of injury – Exposed bone (continued) Appendicular Skeleton • Signs-Symptoms of Extremity Injuries – All injured extremities should be assessed for adequate circulation, sensation, motor function (CSM) before and after immobilization. – If injury site is swollen and discolored, there is bleeding in tissues. (continued) Appendicular Skeleton • Signs-Symptoms of Extremity Injuries – If no distal pulse and extremity is pale and cool, circulation to extremity may be compromised. – If extremity is blue, there is lack of circulation and lack of oxygen in limb. (continued) Assessing capillary refill in the fingers. (©Dan Limmer) Appendicular Skeleton • Patient Assessment – Scene size-up: scene safety; BSI precautions; don PPE; note MOI; total number of patients. – Primary assessment: impression of environment and patient; determine if patient needs to be moved and transported; assess ABCs and mental status; detect life-threatening problems. (continued) Appendicular Skeleton • Patient Assessment – When caring for skeletal injuries, first priority is given to injury of spine. • • • • • Skull Rib cage Pelvis Thighs Any extremity Algorithm for emergency care of patients with musculoskeletal injuries. Appendicular Skeleton • Emergency Care Steps – Take proper BSI precautions; perform primary assessment. – Cut away clothing to expose injury site. – Control bleeding if there is open wound. – Check for distal circulation, sensation, and motor function in affected extremity. – Immobilize extremity using manual (continued) stabilization or splints. Appendicular Skeleton • Emergency Care Steps – Apply cold pack or ice pack to injury site to help reduce pain and swelling. – Administer oxygen per local protocol. – Assess patient's vital signs. – Emotional support important when caring for patient with musculoskeletal injuries. Think About It • You are treating a young woman who has been struck by a car. She has an angulated lower leg fracture. You ask her if her neck or back hurts and she says “No.” • How reliable is this answer? • How will you proceed? SPLINTING Splinting • Splinting – Immobilizing injury, using device (piece of wood, cardboard, folded blanket); any object that can be used to restrict movement of injury. • Manual stabilization – Using your hands to restrict movement of injured person or body part. Splinting • Application of splints allows reposition and transfer of patients while minimizing movement of injury. • Complications resulting from splinting include: – Pain – Damage to soft-tissues – Bleeding – Restricted blood flow – Closed injuries become open injuries Splinting • Emergency Medical Responder Responsibilities – Detect and control life-threatening problems. – Attempt to find all injuries and care for worst ones first. Splinting • General Rules for Splinting – Assess and reassure patient. – Expose injury site. – Control all major bleeding. – Dress open wounds. – Check distal circulation, sensation, and motor function before and after splinting. – Splint injuries before moving patient. (continued) Splinting • General Rules for Splinting – Have materials ready before splinting. – If distal circulation is absent and local protocols allow, gently attempt to realign an angulated limb in anatomical position before splinting. – Immobilize suspected fracture site and joints above and below injury site. (continued) Splinting • General Rules for Splinting – Secure splints with cravats or roller gauze. – Elevate extremity. – Minimize effects of shock by maintaining body temperature and providing oxygen per local protocols. Manual stabilization of an injured limb. Splinting • Managing Angulated Injuries – Do only what you have been trained to do and what is allowed in your EMS system. – If no distal pulse, and skin in distal extremity is pale or blue and cold, take action immediately to minimize potential permanent damage. (continued) Splinting • Managing Angulated Injuries – Do not force limb if you meet resistance or if patient complains of too much pain. – Apply soft splint and elevate limb by propping it on blanket roll or pillow. – Provide oxygen (if allowed). Splinting • Types of Splints – Soft splints: pillows, blankets, towels, cravats, dressings, triangle bandage, sling, swathe. (continued) the triangular bandage over the uninjured shoulder. Ensure that the apex is pointed toward the injured arm. bandage up and over the shoulder on the injured side. Tie a knot at the side of the neck. Pin or tape the apex to form a pocket at the elbow. Secure the arm to the body with a swathe. Splinting • Types of Splints – Rigid splints: plastic, metal, wood, or compressed cardboard; very little give or flexibility. (continued) Splinting • Types of Splints – Commercial splints: made of wood, aluminum, cardboard, foam, wire, or plastic. – Pneumatic antishock garment (PASG): special device for splinting suspected pelvic and femur fractures. Check local protocol. (continued) Splinting • Types of Splints – Inflatable splints (air splints): used for patients with injuries to arm or lower leg bones. (continued) and slide it over the Warning: Air splints may leak. When applied in cold weather, an air splint patient's extremity. Allow will expand when the patient is moved to a warmer place. Pressure also will change at different altitudes. Monitor the pressure in the splint by pressing the orto thetoes to with your fingertip.fingers These splints may stick patient's skin in hot weather. remain exposed at the end of the splint. extremity while your partner inflates the splint. Inflate so that you leave a slight dent when the splint is pressed with one finger. sensation, and motor function, and monitor the pressure of the splint. Add air if necessary. Splinting • Types of Splints – Improvised splints may be soft or rigid; made from variety of materials. Think About It • You are treating a patient with a broken femur following a motorvehicle crash. Before you apply a traction splint, what other assessment elements should you consider? • Why might taking the time to apply a traction splint in this situation be illadvised? MANAGEMENT OF SPECIFIC EXTREMITY INJURIES Algorithm for the assessment and emergency care of patients with extremity injuries. Management of Specific Extremity Injuries • Apply rigid splints for injuries to forearm and lower leg. • Use soft or rigid splints for injuries to arm, elbow, wrist, or hand. • Use soft splints for injuries to ankle or foot.